And so it begins..... Patanjali's Sutras

                                    
                    


Patanjali starts his treatise with stating:

sutra 1: now, therefore, instructions on yoga

Why would Patanjali start in this manner? He explains this sutra, this saying, with the following pearl of wisdom, of which the meaning is always the same, even though the translation may slightly differ. Depending on the translator. But, we shall keep it easy to understand.

sutra 2: the cessation of the mental fluctuations, is yoga

Meaning, of course, that the never ending constant stream of thoughts, goes into stillness. Still to the point whereby we are 'seated' between these thoughts. In a gap in our inner being. Although Patanjali goes into the whole mind thing quite deeply, in his sutras, we can get to the point where they are not bothering us. The inner chitter-chatter is a constant torment of agitated brain waves and disturbed emotions. But, this cessation, gap, whatever you would like to call it, is the space within our whole being, of inner peace and sublime states of mind. Where there are long spaces between the thoughts.

slowing down the thoughts gives us inner peace and is the key to happiness

If such a state exists, and so many will agree, through personal experience, that it does, then it is accessible. For most of us. Patanjali explains the process whereby it does happen, as one goes through his sutras. He explains that when the inner turmoil quietens, the thoughts stop going around and around, and

sutra 3: then the seer abides in his own true nature

                             
                    

What is our own true nature? To be honest, each step of spirituality, no matter what Path one follows, brings us closer and closer to this state. And each time that we have a new, more intense, more elevated state which we reach and settle into, we realise that there is more. There is always more. We always have far to go.

And this is the nature of walking any spiritual Path. 

Our own true nature cannot be defined. But the steps to it, and the obstacles, are chronicled by Patanjali. Although, these first three sutras form the crux and the essence of Patanjali's sutras.

We shall have a look at some of them, in this blog.